JP2023522292A - Surgical stapling instrument with curved end effector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A curved cartridge assembly (160) of a surgical stapler has a staple cartridge (172) and a position received in staple cartridge (172) and configured to engage opening (168) in anvil assembly (170). It includes dowel pins (136, 236) and a shipping cap (180) configured to be removably coupled to staple cartridge (172). Shipping cap (180) engages distal end portions (136b, 236b) of alignment pins (136, 236) to resist translation of alignment pins (136, 236). With cartridge assembly (160) loaded into a surgical stapler, releasing shipping cap (180) from staple cartridge (172) causes alignment pins (136, 236) to engage openings (168) in anvil assembly (170). ) into engagement. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to surgical stapling instruments for clamping, joining, and/or cutting tissue.

Certain surgical stapling instruments are used to apply rows of staples through compressed anatomy. These surgical stapling instruments are used, for example, to secure tissue or organs prior to transcision or resection, or during anastomosis. Occasionally, these surgical stapling instruments are utilized to occlude organs in thoracic and abdominal procedures.

Typically, such a surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly supporting an array of surgical staples, an approximation mechanism for approximating the cartridge and anvil assembly, and a cartridge and anvil assembly. an alignment or guide pin assembly for capturing tissue between the assembly and/or maintaining alignment between the cartridge and anvil assembly during approximation and firing; and ejecting surgical staples from the cartridge assembly. and a firing mechanism for.

In use, the surgeon first advances the alignment pin assembly and then approximates the anvil and cartridge assembly to clamp tissue between the cartridge and anvil assembly. In some surgical stapling instruments, alignment pins are automatically advanced upon approximation of the anvil and cartridge assembly. The surgeon then fires a surgical stapling instrument to place staples in tissue. Optionally, the surgeon may use the same surgical stapling instrument or a separate device to cut tissue positioned adjacent to or between the rows of staples. In some cases, surgical stapling instruments include knives that cut tissue as the staples are fired.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a curved cartridge assembly is provided and includes a staple cartridge having tissue contacting surfaces, alignment pins, and a shipping cap. The staple cartridge defines a plurality of rows of staple slots and channels extending through the tissue contacting surface. The alignment pin is received in the channel and has a distal end portion projecting distally from the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge. The alignment pin is movable within the channel from a retracted position to an advanced position. A shipping cap is removably coupled to the staple cartridge to cover the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge. The shipping cap has an end portion defining a notch that receives the distal end portion of the alignment pin. The shipping cap engages the alignment pin to resist translation of the alignment pin from the retracted position to the advanced position along the longitudinal axis.

In one aspect, the distal end portion of the alignment pin can define a groove and the end portion of the shipping cap can have a tab that extends into the notch. The tab can be received within a groove of the alignment pin to resist translation of the alignment pin from the retracted position to the advanced position.

In one aspect, the groove of the alignment pin may extend at least partially around the circumference of the alignment pin.

In one aspect, the staple cartridge can further include legs extending proximally from an end portion thereof, and the shipping cap can further include a plate and legs extending proximally from the plate. can. The shipping cap plate can be configured to cover the tissue contacting surface, and the shipping cap legs can be configured to be removably secured to the staple cartridge legs.

In one aspect, the shipping cap can be configured to be removed from the staple cartridge in a direction from the first end portion of the staple cartridge toward the second end portion of the staple cartridge.

In one aspect, the shipping cap can be configured such that when removed from the staple cartridge and disengaged from the distal end portion of the alignment pin, the shipping cap slides along the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an end effector assembly for a surgical stapler is provided, comprising a curved housing having a base portion and a jaw portion, an anvil assembly supported by the jaw portion, and an end effector assembly for insertion into the base portion. an alignment pin supported by the curved staple cartridge; and a shipping cap removably coupled to the staple cartridge. The anvil assembly has a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple forming pockets and openings, and the curved staple cartridge includes a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple slots. The alignment pin includes a distal end portion projecting distally from the tissue contacting surface of the curved staple cartridge. A distal end portion of the alignment pin is configured to be received in the opening of the anvil assembly. A shipping cap is engaged with the distal end portion of the alignment pin to resist axial movement of the alignment pin relative to the curved staple cartridge.

In one aspect, the distal end portion of the alignment pin can define a groove and the shipping cap can have a tab removably received in the groove.

In one aspect, the shipping cap can be configured to slide along a plane defined by the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge to disengage from the distal end portion of the alignment pin.

In one aspect, the end effector assembly can further include a slider slidably received within the curved housing. The slider has a cam surface configured to engage the proximal end portion of the alignment pin to resiliently bias the distal end portion of the alignment pin toward the opening in the anvil assembly. can be done.

In one aspect, the proximal end portion of the alignment pin can be configured to proximally cam the slider from a distal position to a proximal position during insertion of the staple cartridge into the curved housing.

In one aspect, the alignment pin has a distal end portion to position the distal end portion of the alignment pin in the opening of the anvil assembly in response to the slider moving distally from the proximal position to the distal position. may be configured to translate in the lateral direction.

In one aspect, the slider can be configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position in response to removal of the shipping cap from the curved staple cartridge.

In one aspect, the end effector assembly can further include a shaft disposed within the curved housing and a spring supported on the shaft. A slider is slidably supported on the shaft and a spring can engage the slider to resiliently bias the slider into engagement with the alignment pin.

In one aspect, an end effector assembly is disposed within a bushing and curved housing secured around a proximal end portion of the alignment pin and configured to move between proximal and distal positions. may further include a reinforced thrust bar. The thrust bar may have a distal end portion configured to engage the bushing.

In one aspect, the bushing and alignment pin extend distally to position the distal end portion of the alignment pin in the opening of the anvil assembly in response to movement of the thrust bar from the proximal position to the distal position. can be configured to translate in a direction.

In one aspect, the bushing can have a chamfered surface configured to engage the thrust bar during insertion of the curved staple cartridge into the curved housing.

In one aspect, the thrust bar disengages the bushing from the alignment pin and moves the bushing distally along the alignment pin as the thrust bar moves further distally from the distal position. can be configured.

In one aspect, the distal end portion of the thrust bar can define a channel configured to receive the proximal end portion of the alignment pin as the thrust bar moves distally from the distal position. .

In one aspect, when the thrust bar moves distally from the proximal position to the distal position, the bushing and alignment pin can move distally, and when the thrust bar moves distally from the distal position, A bushing and thrust bar can move distally relative to the alignment pin.

Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling instrument are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings.

1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary surgical stapler having a curved end effector assembly; FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with parts separated, showing the staple cartridge assembly and the curved housing of the end effector assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 including a staple cartridge and a shipping cap; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the area of detail labeled "4" of FIG. 3 showing the connection between the shipping cap and the alignment pins of the staple cartridge; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shipping cap of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area of detail labeled "6" in FIG. 5 showing the notch in the shipping cap; 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3 and showing the alignment pin engaged with the shipping cap; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge assembly in a first inserted state with a curved housing of a surgical stapler; FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view, depicting a staple cartridge assembly in a second inserted state with a curved housing; 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the alignment pin engaged between the shipping cap and the pin alignment mechanism; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pin alignment mechanism of FIG. 10; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area of detail labeled "12" of FIG. 1 showing the alignment pin engaged with the anvil assembly after removal of the shipping cap from the staple cartridge; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing the alignment pin held in engagement with the anvil assembly by the pin alignment mechanism; FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view, with parts separated, showing an end effector assembly having an alternative alignment pin; 15 is a perspective view of the alignment pin of FIG. 14; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 showing the alignment pin engaged with the shipping cap; FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the end effector assembly of FIG. 14 in assembled condition after the shipping cap has been removed; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17 showing the thrust bar of the end effector assembly in a proximal position; FIG. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the thrust bar of Figure 18 engaged with a bushing of an alignment pin; 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly of FIG. 14 showing the thrust bar in a distal position with alignment pins engaging the anvil assembly; FIG.

Aspects of the surgical stapling instrument of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding elements in each of the several figures. In the drawings and descriptions that follow, the term "proximal" refers to the end of the surgical stapling instrument closer to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the end of the surgical stapling instrument farther from the clinician. point to Additionally, the term "clinician" is used generally to refer to medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

Although the instruments described and illustrated herein are configured to fire surgical staples against an anvil surface, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to other forms of staples made of metallic or polymeric materials. , fasteners, clips, and two part fasteners.

In a surgical stapler, it is important to align the staple slots of the staple cartridge with the staple forming pockets of the anvil assembly for proper staple forming. Improper alignment can lead to staple malformation and/or tissue trauma. To assist in aligning the staple slots of the staple cartridge with the staple forming pockets of the anvil assembly and to ensure that the forming of the staples and the cutting of the tissue are in close proximity to each other, excess tissue is disposed between the cartridge assembly and the Alignment pins are provided that also act as stops to prevent entry into gaps between the anvil assemblies. A shipping cap is also provided that is removably coupled to the staple cartridge of the cartridge assembly to cover the staple slots and retain the alignment pins in axial position until the staple cartridge is fully loaded into the surgical stapler. Once the staple cartridge is loaded into the surgical stapler, the shipping cap may be removed from the staple cartridge, thereby translating the alignment pin into engagement with the anvil assembly and properly aligning the staple cartridge and anvil assembly with each other. good alignment can be maintained.

1 and 2, a surgical stapling instrument according to one aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated as surgical stapling instrument 100. As shown in FIG. Surgical stapling instrument 100 includes a stationary handle or base 112, a trigger member 114 pivotally secured to stationary handle 112, and an elongated body portion 116 extending distally from stationary handle 112. Includes assembly 110 . End effector assembly 150 is secured to a distal portion of elongated body portion 116 and includes staple cartridge assembly 160 and anvil assembly 170 . In response to actuation of trigger member 114, cartridge assembly 160 is moved to an open position, in which cartridge assembly 160 is spaced from anvil assembly 170, and in a fully approximated or clamped position, in which cartridge assembly 160 is positioned adjacent anvil assembly 170. configured to move to and from a specified position.

A pair of clamp slide members 126a, 126b and thrust bar 130 are provided within elongated body portion 116 for movement between retracted and advanced positions in response to movement of trigger member 114 through the approach and/or firing strokes. is slidably supported by A distal portion of each clamp slide member 126 a , 126 b includes a head portion 132 that together define a cavity 134 configured to releasably receive and support a cartridge assembly 160 of end effector assembly 150 .

For a detailed description of various aspects of the handle assembly 110 and the mechanical linkages responsible for performing the stapling function of the end effector assembly 150, see November 30, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. See filed and commonly owned US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0153544.

End effector assembly 150 of surgical stapling instrument 100 includes a base portion 154 coupled to and extending from a distal end portion of elongated body portion 116 and an L-shape extending distally from base portion 154 . includes a housing 152 having a jaw portion 156 of . Housing 152 of end effector assembly 150 includes a substantially curved, C-shaped, or hook-shaped cross-section. In one aspect, housing 152 may be linear rather than curved. L-shaped jaw portion 156 includes an anvil support 156a spaced from and overlapping base portion 154 and an elongated arm 156b extending between and interconnecting anvil support 156a and base portion 154. . A head portion 132 of each clamp slide member 126a, 126b and a head portion 138 of thrust bar 130 extend through housing 152 and lie between base portion 154 and anvil support 156a of L-shaped jaw portion 156. It is received in the defined gap 157 .

Anvil assembly 170 of end effector assembly 150 includes an anvil member 164 supported on anvil support 156a of L-shaped jaw portion 156 of housing 152 and defines the same curved profile as anvil support 156a. Anvil member 164 has a leading end portion 164 a positioned adjacent lateral opening 159 of gap 157 and a trailing end portion 164 b positioned adjacent elongate arm 156 b of L-shaped jaw portion 156 . Anvil member 164 has a tissue contacting surface 166 extending between a leading end portion 164 a and a trailing end portion 164 b of anvil member 164 . Tissue contacting surface 166 includes a longitudinal slot 163 (FIG. 1) configured to receive a knife member (not explicitly shown) of cartridge assembly 160 and an opening 168 in rearward end portion 164b of anvil member 164. (See also FIG. 9). Opening 168 is configured to receive distal end portion 136 b of bottom or trailing alignment pin 136 . Tissue contacting surface 166 of anvil member 164 further defines first and second sets of staple pockets 165 . The positions of the first and second sets of staple forming pockets 165 correspond to the positions of the first and second arrays of staple receiving slots 171 ( FIG. 7 ) of staple cartridge 172 of cartridge assembly 160 .

Cartridge assembly 160 of end effector assembly 150 of surgical stapling instrument 100 (FIG. 1) is releasably supported within cavity 134 between clamp slide members 126a, 126b and attaches and detaches from staple cartridge 172 and staple cartridge 172. Includes a shipping cap 180 that is operably coupled thereto. Staple cartridge 172 has the same curved profile as base portion 154 of housing 152 . Staple cartridge 172 has a leading end portion 172 a , a trailing end portion 172 b , legs 174 extending proximally from leading end portion 172 a , and a tissue contacting surface 176 . Tissue contacting surface 176 is configured to face tissue contacting surface 166 of anvil member 164 when staple cartridge 172 is assembled to base portion 154 of housing 152 . A trailing end portion 172b of staple cartridge 172 defines a channel 178 (FIG. 7) extending through tissue contacting surface 176 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of elongated body portion 116. As shown in FIG.

2-4, alignment pin 136 is received through channel 178 (FIG. 7) of staple cartridge 172 and has proximal end portion 136a and distal end portion 136b. Distal end portion 136b of alignment pin 136 projects distally from tissue contacting surface 176 of staple cartridge 172 after staple cartridge 172 is fully assembled in housing 152 and alignment pin 136 is moved to the advanced position. , is configured to be received in opening 168 of anvil member 164 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Distal end portion 136 b of alignment pin 136 defines an annular groove 142 ( FIG. 4 ) that extends around the circumference of alignment pin 136 .

2-7, shipping cap 180 of staple cartridge assembly 160 is removably coupled to staple cartridge 172 and generally extends proximally from cover plate 182 and front end portion 182a of cover plate 182. legs 184; Legs 184 each have a curved shape and include one or more fixation fingers 186 configured to flex outwardly to receive legs 174 of staple cartridge 172 in snap-fit engagement. Legs 184 have tabs 187 extending laterally outwardly therefrom that are attached to and removed from the staple cartridge 172 by a clinician's two fingers to facilitate removal and removal of the shipping cap 180 from the staple cartridge 172 . configured to be gripped between. Cover plate 182 of shipping cap 180 is positioned over tissue contacting surface 176 of staple cartridge 172 to cover staple forming pockets 171 (FIG. 7). Cover plate 182 may have a pair of hooks 188 extending proximally from opposite sides thereof for releasably engaging ribs 179 on respective sidewalls of staple cartridge 172 .

The cover plate 182 of the shipping cap 180 has a trailing end portion 182b defining a notch 190 for receiving the distal end portion 136b of the alignment pin 136. As shown in FIG. Rear end portion 182 b of cover plate 182 has a tab 192 , such as a catch, that extends into notch 190 and is received in groove 142 of alignment pin 136 . As shown in FIG. 8 , tabs 192 of shipping cap 180 , when engaged with alignment pin 136 , move alignment pin 136 out of engagement with anvil assembly 170 and secured against staple cartridge 172 . axial position. In other aspects, the shipping cap 180 may have a recess, and the alignment pin 136 may have tabs or tabs received in the recess of the shipping cap 180 to selectively fix the axial position of the alignment pin 136 . It may have protrusions.

10, 11 and 13, end effector assembly 150 further includes a pin alignment mechanism 200 disposed within base portion 154 of housing 152 of end effector assembly 150 . Pin alignment mechanism 200 includes a shaft 202 axially fixed to base portion 154 of housing 152 , a biasing member 204 (eg, a spring) supported on shaft 202 , and a slider 206 slidably supported on shaft 202 . , and a fixture 208 fixedly secured to the base portion 154 of the housing 152 . Biasing member 204 is compressed between slider 206 and fixture 208 of pin alignment mechanism 200 to resiliently bias slider 206 distally along shaft 202 . Slider 206 has a shroud 210 (FIG. 11) through which shaft 204 extends and a flange 212 extending from shroud 210 . Flange 212 of slider 206 applies a distally directed resilient bias to alignment pin 136 of cartridge assembly 160 via biasing member 204 when staple cartridge 172 is received in housing 152 of end effector 150 . Sometimes it has a distally facing cam surface 214 that engages the proximal end portion 136 a of the alignment pin 136 .

In assembly, and initially referring to FIG. 2, staple cartridge 172 and attached shipping cap 180 are pushed through opening 159 into gap 157 of housing 152 of end effector 150 and in the direction indicated by arrow "A." It is inserted into cavity 134 defined between clamp slide members 126a, 126b to position staple cartridge 172 in spaced-opposite relationship with anvil assembly 170 (FIG. 8). To fully insert staple cartridge 172 into housing 152, cartridge assembly 160 is translated proximally (eg, away from anvil assembly 170) from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. be. Axial movement of the alignment pin 136 is resisted during loading of the cartridge assembly 160 into the housing 152 because the tab 192 of the shipping cap 180 is positioned within the groove 142 of the alignment pin 136 .

Proximal end portion 136a of alignment pin 136 cams slider 206 of pin alignment mechanism 200 during proximal movement of cartridge assembly 160 (staple cartridge 172 and shipping cap 180) to the position shown in FIG. It engages surface 214 to move slider 206 against the resilient bias of biasing member 204 along shaft 202 from a starting or distal position toward a proximal position.

To complete the assembly process, the protrusions 187 of the shipping cap 180 may be grasped and pulled by the clinician with sufficient force to disengage the fingers 186 of the shipping cap 180 from the legs 174 of the staple cartridge 172. . Shipping cap 180 may then be slid along staple cartridge 172 toward staple cartridge front end portion 172a in the direction indicated by arrow "B" in FIG. When the shipping cap 180 is removed from the staple cartridge 172 , the tabs 192 ( FIG. 10 ) of the shipping cap 180 are removed from within the grooves 142 of the alignment pins 136 to prevent axial movement of the alignment pins 136 within the staple cartridge 172 . no longer hinder. When the alignment pin 136 is released from the shipping cap 180, the distally directed force of the biasing member 204 of the pin alignment mechanism 200 applied to the alignment pin 136 via the slider 206 causes the alignment pin to move. 136 is moved along shaft 202 from the proximal position shown in FIG. 10 to the distal position shown in FIGS. In the distal position, distal end portion 136b of alignment pin 136 is received in opening 168 of anvil member 164 to maintain staple cartridge 172 and anvil member 164 in proper longitudinal alignment with one another. .

14-20 show another end effector assembly 250 similar to the end effector assembly 150 of FIGS. 1-13. End effector assembly 250 differs from end effector assembly 150 by having an alternate version of alignment pin 136 , generally indicated as alignment pin 236 .

Alignment pin 236 of end effector assembly 250 includes a distal end portion 236b, a proximal end portion 236a, and a bushing 238 fixed about proximal end portion 236a. Bushing 238 is secured in position via frictional engagement, adhesive, or any other suitable fastening engagement material or technique that resists longitudinal movement of bushing 238 along the longitudinal axis of alignment pin 236. It can be a plastic bushing that is glued to the proximal end portion 236a of the dowel pin 236 .

The connection between bushing 238 and the proximal end portion 236 a of alignment pin 236 is such that a distally directed threshold force applied to bushing 238 overcomes the connection to cause bushing 238 to align with alignment pin 236 . designed to allow slidable movement relative to the Bushing 238 has a proximally facing cam surface 240 configured to engage a distal engagement surface 143 of head portion 138 of thrust bar 130 . Head portion 138 of thrust bar 130 defines a longitudinally extending channel 145 ( FIG. 16 ) configured to receive proximal end portion 236 a of alignment pin 236 .

In assembly, referring first to FIG. 14, staple cartridge 172 and attached shipping cap 180 are positioned in gap 157 of housing 152 and cavity 134 defined between head portions 132 of clamp slide members 126a, 126b. inserted. During movement of staple cartridge 172 into housing 152 , chamfered surface 240 of bushing 238 of alignment pin 236 engages head portion 138 of thrust bar 130 to move staple cartridge 172 into housing 152 . invite. With staple cartridge 172 loaded into housing 152 , shipping cap 180 is removed from staple cartridge 172 in the manner described above to release alignment pin 236 from shipping cap 180 .

Trigger member 114 ( FIG. 1 ) may be depressed to advance staple cartridge 172 toward anvil assembly 170 via thrust bar 130 . As thrust bar 130 moves distally from a proximal position ( FIG. 18 ) to a distal position, thrust bar 130 distally translates bushing 240 along with alignment pin 236 to the distal position of alignment pin 236 . Proximal end portion 236b is positioned in opening 168 of anvil assembly 170 (FIG. 18).

With distal end portion 236 b of alignment pin 236 engaged with anvil assembly 170 and thus halted further distal movement, further advancement of thrust bar 130 exerts a threshold force on bushing 238 . Additionally, bushing 238 is released from alignment pin 236 , thereby allowing further advancement of thrust bar 130 relative to alignment pin 236 . As thrust bar 130 is further advanced (eg, to perform the stapling function of end effector assembly 250), bushing 238 passes through channel 145 of thrust bar 130 through which proximal end portion 236a of alignment pin 236 advances. It slides along the alignment pins 236 while being held.

It is to be understood that the various aspects disclosed herein can be combined in different combinations than those specifically presented in the description and accompanying drawings. Certain acts or events of any of the processes or methods described herein may occur in different orders, may be added, merged, or omitted entirely (e.g., all ) may not be required to practice the technology. Additionally, although certain aspects of the disclosure are described as being implemented by a single module or unit for clarity, the techniques of the disclosure may be applied to any unit or module associated with, for example, a medical device. It should be understood that it can be implemented by a combination of

Claims (20)

A curved cartridge assembly,
a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface, the staple cartridge defining a plurality of rows of staple slots and channels extending through the tissue contacting surface;
an alignment pin received in the channel and having a distal end portion projecting distally from the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge, the alignment pin being movable within the channel from a retracted position to an advanced position; ,
A shipping cap removably coupled to the staple cartridge to cover the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge, the shipping cap having an end portion defining a notch for receiving the distal end portion of the alignment pin. , a shipping cap that engages the alignment pin to resist translation of the alignment pin from the retracted position to the advanced position along a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the alignment pin defines a groove, the end portion of the shipping cap has a tab extending into the notch, the tab received within the groove of the alignment pin. 2. The curved cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the alignment pin resists translation from the retracted position to the advanced position. 3. The curved cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein the groove in the alignment pin extends at least partially around the circumference of the alignment pin. The staple cartridge further includes a leg extending proximally from an end portion, the shipping cap comprising:
2. A plate configured to cover said tissue contacting surface; and a leg extending proximally from said plate and configured to be removably secured to said leg of said staple cartridge. A curved cartridge assembly as described in . 2. The curved cartridge of claim 1, wherein the shipping cap is configured to be removed from the staple cartridge in a direction from a first end portion of the staple cartridge toward a second end portion of the staple cartridge. assembly. The shipping cap is configured to slide along the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge when the shipping cap is removed from the staple cartridge and disengaged from the distal end portion of the alignment pin. 6. The curved cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein the curved cartridge assembly is An end effector assembly for a surgical stapler comprising:
a curved housing having a base portion and a jaw portion;
an anvil assembly supported by the jaw portions and having a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple forming pockets and openings;
a curved staple cartridge configured to be inserted into the base portion and including a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple slots;
A position supported by the curved staple cartridge and having a distal end portion projecting distally from the tissue contacting surface of the curved staple cartridge and configured to be received in the opening of the anvil assembly. a dowel pin and
a shipping cap removably coupled to the staple cartridge and engaging the distal end portion of the alignment pin to resist axial movement of the alignment pin relative to the curved staple cartridge. end effector assembly. The end effector assembly of claim 7, wherein the distal end portion of the alignment pin defines a groove and the shipping cap has a tab removably received in the groove. 4. The shipping cap is configured to slide along a plane defined by the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge to disengage from the distal end portion of the alignment pin. 8. The end effector assembly of 7. A slider slidably received within the curved housing engages the proximal end portion of the alignment pin to move the distal end portion of the alignment pin to the anvil assembly. 8. The end effector assembly of claim 7, comprising a cam surface configured to resiliently bias toward the opening of the. The proximal end portion of the alignment pin is configured to proximally cam the slider from a distal position to a proximal position during insertion of the staple cartridge into the curved housing. 11. The end effector assembly of paragraph 10. The alignment pin positions the distal end portion of the alignment pin in the opening of the anvil assembly in response to distal movement of the slider from the proximal position to the distal position. 12. The end effector assembly of claim 11, wherein the end effector assembly is configured to distally translate to. The end effector assembly of Claim 12, wherein the slider is configured to move from the proximal position to the distal position in response to removal of the shipping cap from the curved staple cartridge. a shaft disposed within the curved housing, the slider being slidably supported on the shaft;
11. The end effector assembly of claim 10, further comprising a spring supported on the shaft and engaging the slider to resiliently bias the slider into engagement with the alignment pin. a bushing secured around the proximal end portion of the alignment pin;
A thrust bar disposed within the curved housing and configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position, the thrust bar having a distal end portion configured to engage the bushing. The end effector assembly of claim 8, further comprising a thrust bar. The bushing and the alignment pin position the distal end portion of the alignment pin in the opening of the anvil assembly in response to movement of the thrust bar from the proximal position to the distal position. 16. The end effector assembly of claim 15, wherein the end effector assembly is configured to distally translate to. The end effector assembly of claim 16, wherein the bushing has a chamfered surface configured to engage the thrust bar during insertion of the curved staple cartridge into the curved housing. The thrust bar disengages the bushing from the alignment pin such that further distal movement of the thrust bar from the distal position causes the bushing to move distally along the alignment pin. 17. The end effector assembly of claim 16, wherein the end effector assembly is configured to: the distal end portion of the thrust bar defines a channel configured to receive the proximal end portion of the alignment pin as the thrust bar moves distally from the distal position; 19. The end effector assembly of Claim 18. As the thrust bar moves distally from the proximal position to the distal position, the bushing and the alignment pin move distally and the thrust bar moves distally from the distal position. The end effector assembly of claim 19, wherein the bushing and thrust bar then move distally relative to the alignment pin.

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